TODAY IS…

a splendid day to make sure that we are readily identifiable.

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples.” John 13:35 NLT

A disciple is defined as “a follower.” While the term “disciple” is a noun, it requires the action of following to bear the name. Following is not a passive act. We are not followers of Jesus Christ if we sit and do nothing. By the instructions of Christ Himself, we are told the action we must take that will make us readily identifiable as His followers.

Those instructions are the same now as they were when He turned to His disciples at the Last Supper and said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34 NIV).

How, exactly, did Jesus demonstrate His love for those who followed Him? In ways that are too numerous to fully list here, but let us examine some of them.

He protected them from harm, as when He calmed the waves in the Sea of Galilee when they were in danger.

“Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished…” (Mark 6:51 NASB).

He taught them to show compassion to people, and to treat all others as brothers and sisters. He demonstrated the kindness, gentleness, and humility that made Him who He was and tried to instill in them the need for them to act in the same manner when dealing with others.

Jesus tried to demonstrate the need to serve others and made sure to practice what He preached. When He washed the feet of His disciples He said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:15 NIV).

Jesus clearly wants us to be active followers. Throughout His teachings, He leads us by examples that He then wants us to demonstrate for others. We are to serve others, and always remember that He was a servant to all He came in contact with. What better example could there possibly be of what is expected of us?

It is important that we each take time to pray, to read the Word of God, and meditate on that word. It is also important to spend quiet times with our Lord as well so that we can hear Him when He speaks to us.

But we must also be very active in our faith, as Jesus demonstrated, by looking for ways to involve ourselves in the improvement of the human condition here on earth because Jesus Christ said that is what we must do.

It is not enough to say that we belong to God. We must actively demonstrate through our love for one another so that we, too, can be clearly identified as being followers of Jesus Christ.

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